Carmilla is a Gothic novella by Sheridan Le Fanu, first published in 1872, and is one of the earliest known works of vampire fiction. The story follows a young woman named Laura who lives in a secluded castle with her father in the Austrian countryside. Her quiet life is disrupted when Carmilla, a mysterious and beautiful young woman, becomes an unexpected guest after a carriage accident. As the two form a close, intense bond, Laura begins to suffer from strange dreams, weakness, and a growing sense of dread.

As the tale unfolds, it becomes clear that Carmilla is a vampire preying on young women, including Laura. The novella builds a haunting atmosphere filled with suspense, supernatural horror, and a subtle exploration of repressed desires and forbidden relationships. Carmilla predates Bram Stoker’s Dracula and was a major influence on later vampire literature. Its themes of seduction, secrecy, and the supernatural helped shape the Gothic horror genre and continue to resonate with readers today.